Adsorbing element

ABSTRACT

An adsorbing element for adsorbing and releasing a gas includes a plurality of adsorbing sheets. Each adsorbing sheet includes gas-permeable sheets such as non-woven fabrics or filter papers, and an adsorbing material filled between the gas-permeable sheets. First and second supporting members are provided such that each of them is formed of a paper-like sheet formed with a plurality of pleats which have straight trough lines. Each of the pleats of the first supporting member is located facing and spaced from each of the pleats of the second supporting member to form a pair of the facing pleats, defining a pair of facing trough portions. In this adsorbing element, the first and second side edges of each adsorbing sheet are located respectively at the pair of facing trough portions so that each adsorbing sheet is supported between the pair of the facing trough portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an adsorbing element that adsorbs and releasesfoul odors, harmful gases or fuel gases.

2. Description of the Related Art

JP-A-2003-24896 discloses a raw garbage processor in which raw garbagefrom homes is dried and processed under agitation while supplying hotair. In this kind of devices, in an exhaust path through which anexhaust gas flows from a dryer vessel, a deodorizing device is disposedto remove the foul odors. Japanese Patent No. 3,007,311, discloses as adeodorizing filter that is used in such a deodorizing device, acylindrical structure in which a sheet material formed by intervening apulp containing a deodorant and a water-absorbing polymer between anon-woven fabric and a resin film is wound in honeycomb.

Furthermore, JP-A-2004-100691 relates to an evaporative fuel treatmentapparatus that adsorbs a fuel component vaporized from a fuel tank of anautomobile and releases, followed by being burned during engineoperation. JP-A-2004-100691 discloses the fact that besides grainedactivated carbon being packed as it is in a vessel to use, a formedabsorbing material as an adsorption cartridge is integrally formed intoa cylindrical honeycomb to use.

Still furthermore, JP-A-2003-320209 discloses a deodorizing filter inwhich an adsorbing material made of activated carbon is filled togetherwith a hot-melt adhesive between non-woven fabrics on both sides,followed by heating and pressurizing to form into a sheet, furtherfollowed by folding the sheet-like one at a constant interval aplurality of times into a pleat-like shape is disclosed. The deodorizingfilter also serves to remove dust; accordingly, a gas penetrates througha sheet material of the deodorizing filter.

Although a structure where granular and formed activated carbon orpulverized activated carbon is packed as it is in a container is simple,the air flow resistance is high; accordingly, it cannot be applied tothe use where low air flow resistance is necessary. A formed adsorbingmaterial or formed activated carbon that is integrally formed into ahoneycomb shape can be constituted low in the air flow resistance.However, since the molding cost is high and molds for molding intoindividual honeycomb shapes corresponding to devices such as deodorizingdevices are necessary, in particular, it is not suitable for limitedproduction of diversified products.

On the other hand, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3,007,311 andJP-A-2003-320209, in the case of an adsorbing sheet formed into a sheetwith an adsorbing material interposed between non-woven fabrics beingused, when the adsorbing sheet is wound into a cylinder or formed into apleat with folded pleats, various kinds of capacities or sizes ofadsorbing elements can be readily obtained. However, such the adsorbingsheet, being provided with the adsorbing material in the middle, has acertain thickness; accordingly, in actuality, it cannot be folded sofine. For instance, in Japanese Patent No. 3,007,311, although a finelycorrugated sheet material is wound into a honeycomb, in actuality, it isdifficult to finely fold into a corrugated shape. Furthermore, when theadsorbing sheet is folded into a pleat as well, unless an interval ofthe respective pleats, namely, apitch of pleat is made larger to acertain extent, in a folding line, a non-woven fabric on a surface islikely to be broken.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedadsorbing element which can effectively overcome drawbacks encounteredin conventional adsorbing elements of the similar nature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedadsorbing element which is very simple in construction while low in airflow resistance.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedadsorbing element which has a plurality of adsorbing sheets which arenot required to be bent, so that the adsorbing sheets do not encountersuch a shortcoming as to be broken at a bent portion.

According to the present invention, an adsorbing element comprises aplurality of adsorbing sheets. Each adsorbing sheet includesgas-permeable sheets selected from the group consisting of non-wovenfabrics and filter papers, and an adsorbing material filled between thegas-permeable sheets. Each adsorbing sheet is formed sheet-like and hasfirst and second side edges which are straight and located at oppositesides of the adsorbing sheet. First and second supporting members areprovided such that each of them is formed of a paper-like sheet formedwith a plurality of pleats each of which is formed by folding thepaper-like sheet at a flat state, the pleats having straight troughlines. Each of the pleats of the first supporting member is locatedfacing and spaced from each of the pleats of the second supportingmember to form a pair of the facing pleats. The pair of the facingpleats define a pair of facing trough portions. In this adsorbingelement, the first and second side edges of each adsorbing sheet arelocated respectively at the pair of facing trough portions so that eachadsorbing sheet is supported between the pair of the facing troughportions.

The adsorbing element according to the invention is roughly constitutedof a plurality of adsorbing sheets and a supporting member that supportsthe adsorbing sheets in a stacked state. The adsorbing sheet has anadsorbing material interposed between gas-permeable non-woven fabrics orpapers on both sides, is formed into a sheet-shape and has an externalshape having linear side edges on both sides, for instance, arectangular shape. The supporting member is made of a paper-like sheetsuch as a filter paper or a non-woven fabric that is formed by beingfolded so as to have a plurality of pleats of which trough line is alonga straight line. The plurality of pleats include a pair of pleats whichare spacedly oppositely disposed. The paper-like sheet that becomes asupporting member is typically made of a pair of mutually separatedpaper-like sheets that are oppositely disposed, each of the paper-likesheets is provided with a plurality of pleats so as to mutually face.Alternatively, a pair of pleated portions may be connected at a centerportion thereof to form one paper-like sheet. Between mutually facingtroughs of the supporting members, side edges of each of the adsorbingsheets are interposed and supported. That is, a plurality of adsorbingsheets is supported by the supporting members at the side edges on bothsides thereof and held in a state where a plurality of sheets isstacked. Between the adsorbing sheets, a gap corresponding to a pitch ofthe pleats remain and both sides of the respective gaps are clogged withthe supporting member. Accordingly, a gas is introduced in therespective gaps that become a path along a longer direction of thepleat, namely, along a surface of the adsorbing sheet. Accordingly, theventilation resistance can be made smaller.

As the adsorbing materials, fine granular activated carbon (pulverizedactivated carbon or formed activated carbon), silica, alumina, orvarious kinds of metals and oxides thereof having the adsorbingproperty, that is, all of known adsorbing materials can be usedaccording to ingredients to be adsorbed and the requiredcharacteristics. For instance, as needs arise, a proper binder is addedthereto, followed by filling the binder between non-woven fabrics orpapers on both sides, further followed by pressurizing and heating, andthereby forming into a thin sheet. As a specific manufacturing method ofthe adsorbing sheet, without restricting thereto, any other method maybe used.

In thus configured adsorbing element according to the invention, theadsorbing sheets themselves are flat, not necessarily folded, and can besupported in a state where the respective adsorbing sheets are stackedwith a relatively small gap by use of the supporting member made ofpleated paper-like sheet. Accordingly, as a whole, it can be structuredvery simple and at low cost. The number of adsorbing sheets beingstacked, the pitch thereof, and an external shape can be readily alteredin accordance with requirements.

In the adsorbing element according to the invention, a plurality ofadsorbing sheets is independent from each other. Accordingly, among theplurality of adsorbing sheets, a plurality of kinds of adsorbing sheetshaving different adsorbing materials can be included. Accordingly,adsorbing materials respectively appropriate for, for instance, aplurality of hazardous ingredients can be used to adsorb and remove.

Thus configured adsorbing element can be installed as it is in a devicesuch as a deodorizing device. However, in order that combined adsorbingsheets and supporting member may not come apart, the periphery thereofis desirably restrained permanently or temporarily with whatever means.

According to one mode, an adsorbing element according to the inventionis further provided with a cylindrical case that externally restraintsthe supporting members with the adsorbing sheets interposedtherebetween. Preferably, the supporting members that form a bellowsshape in combination with the adsorbing sheets are housed in the caseupon being compressed in a direction (or stacking direction) in whichthe plurality of adsorbing sheets are stacked or approach each other.Here, the supporting member compressed and inserted in the case tends toextend bellows-like owing to the restoration force thereof (depending ona mode, a restoration force of the respective adsorbing sheets receivinga compressive force in a thickness direction is added as well).Accordingly, it comes into contact under pressure with the case from theinside thereof. As a result, without adhering in the case, under apressure contact force, the adsorbing element can be supported in thecase. The case can be made into, for instance, a rectangular columnarshape.

In another mode, the supporting members that form a bellows shape incombination with the adsorbing sheets are circumferentially restrainedwith a band-like member in a state compressed in a direction in which aplurality of adsorbing sheets are stacked or approach each other. As theband-like member, for instance, one in which rectangles are in advanceconnected in a ring is used, and when inside thereof the adsorbingelement is inserted in a compressed state, the band-like member can beattached to an external periphery of the adsorbing element. As mentionedabove, the supporting member tends to elongate bellows-like.Accordingly, owing to the restoration force thereof, the band-likemember is retained and the whole of the adsorbing element is restrainedso as not to separate.

In a still another mode, the supporting members that form a bellows-likeshape in combination with the adsorbing sheet, in a state compressed ina direction in which a plurality of adsorbing sheets are stacked orapproach each other, are solidly held with an adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a deodorizing device for agarbage drying processor in which an adsorbing element according to thepresent invention is used;

FIG. 2 is a front view, partly in section, of an embodiment of theadsorbing element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the adsorbing element of FIG. 2, in which apart of a case is cutout;

FIGS. 4A to 4M are explanatory diagrams showing a manufacturing processof the adsorbing element;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of an adsorbing element that isused in an evaporative fuel treatment apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the adsorbing element, cutting out a part of acase of the adsorbing element; and

FIG. 7 is a side view similar to FIG. 7 but showing a modifiedembodiment in which a thicker filter is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, an embodiment of anadsorbing element according to the present invention will be discussed.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a deodorizing device for agarbage drying processor in which an adsorbing element according to theinvention is used. The deodorizing device includes a slender rectangularbody 51 disposed in an exhaust path of a garbage drying processor (notshown). A cover 53 is attached to the body 51 with a screw 52 so as tocover a top surface opening of the body 51. At one end of the inside ofthe body 51, a blower unit 54 is attached to blow air. A rectangularcolumnar adsorbing element 1 according to the present invention is fixedand supported in series with the blower unit 54 through front and rearsupporting metal fittings 55 and 56.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are, respectively, a front view and a side view of theadsorbing element 1. The adsorbing element 1 includes a plurality ofrectangular adsorbing sheets 2. Supporting members 3 are provided tosupport the adsorbing sheets 2 at side edge portions 2 a on both sides.A rectangular columnar paper case 4 restrains the adsorbing sheets 2 andthe supporting members 3 at outer periphery sides. A polyurethane sheet5 is adhered onto an outer surface of the case 4 to seal a gap in theperiphery in a state installed in the body 51.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a manufacturing process of the adsorbing element 1,which will be discussed hereinafter. The adsorbing sheet 2, similarly toones in Japanese Patent No. 3,007,311 and JP-A-2003-320209, is one thatis provided with gas permeable sheets such as non-woven fabrics or thinpapers on both sides. Between the gas-permeable sheets, as a adsorbingmaterial, fine powdery activated carbon (pulverized activated carbon orformed activated carbon) is filled together with a hot-melt binder,followed by pressurizing and heating to form in a sheet. For instance,by forming the sheet into a continuous band shape with a predeterminedwidth followed by cutting this in a definite a length, rectangular,namely, strip-like shape is formed. Accordingly, a pair of side edges 2a of each of the adsorbing sheets 2 form straight lines parallel witheach other. In this embodiment, all the adsorbing sheets 2 form the sameshape (see a step shown in FIG. 4A).

The supporting member 3, as shown in a step of FIG. 4B, in thisembodiment, is formed of a pair of mutually separated rectangularpaper-like sheets 3A and 3B such as filter papers containing polyesterfibers. The paper-like sheets 3A, 3B may be sheet-like non-wovenfabrics, sheets formed of synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers orrayon fibers, or the like sheets. When each of the paper-like sheets 3Aand 3B is folded back at a constant interval, a plurality of pleatsalternately having a trough portion 11 and a ridge portion 12 areformed. A pair of pleated paper-like sheets 3A and 3B have the sameshape each other and is disposed oppositely to each other so as to besymmetrical. Accordingly, between one paper-like sheet 3A and the otherpaper-like sheet 3B, the same number of pleats face each other as pairs.The trough portion 11 and ridge portion 12 form the same V-shapedsectional shape. Here, a portion that projects outward when disposedfacing each other is called the trough portion 11 and a portion thatprojects inward is called the ridge portion 12. Folding lines of thetrough portions 11, that is, trough lines are all straight line-like,and, in this embodiment, on spread paper-like sheets 3A and 3B, theselines run in parallel with each other.

The pair of paper-like sheets 3A and 3B that form a supporting member 3can be used as they are in a mutually separated and independent state.In FIGS. 2 and 3, embodiments of such separated supporting member 3 areshown. On the other hand, as shown in steps shown respectively in FIG.4B and FIG. 4C, at each of both ends of a pair of pleated paper-likesheets 3A and 3B, a rectangular side sheet 13 made of for instance afilter paper may be combined. In the side sheet 13, both side edges 13 athereof are joined to end edges (the last side of the pleat) of thepleated paper-like sheets 3A and 3B with for instance an adhesive.Alternatively, these may be heated and joined by means of ultrasonicbonding or the like. Furthermore, without joining, the side edges 13 amay be folded in a V-shape and interposed in pleats at the ends of thepair of paper-like sheets 3A and 3B. In a series of shapes including aportion corresponding to the side sheet 13, the whole of the supportingmember 3 can be formed from one paper-like sheet.

To the supporting member 3, as shown in steps shown respectively shownin FIGS. 4D and 4E, each of the adsorbing sheets 2 is inserted between apair of mutually facing troughs 11 of the supporting member 3. That is,the side edges 2 a of the respective adsorbing sheets 2 are supported ina state interposed between the trough portions 11 of the respectivepleats so that a plurality of adsorbing sheets 2 are disposed in a statestacked with a definite separation. A length of the adsorbing sheet 2 (adimension in a direction along a side edge 2 a) and a length dimensionalong pleats of the paper-like sheets 3A and 3B coincide with eachother.

With this, a fundamental configuration of the adsorbing element 1 comesto completion. However, in this embodiment, this one is further insertedinto a rectangular columnar case 4. That is, a bellows-shapedfundamental adsorbing element 1 that is formed by combining thesupporting member 3 and the plurality of adsorbing sheets 2, as shown inthe step shown in FIG. 4F, is compressed by pressing in a direction ofan arrow mark G. In this state, as shown in steps shown respectively inFIGS. 4G and 4H, the adsorbing element 1 is inserted into the case 4previously formed into a rectangular column. The case 4 is made of afilter paper similar to for instance the supporting member 3 and joinedin a rectangular column with an adhesive or by means of the ultrasonicbonding. The fundamental adsorbing element 1 inserted in the case 4 in acompressed state, owing to the restoration force of the pleatedsupporting member 3 itself and that of the respective adsorbing sheets 2that receives the compressive force in a thickness direction, tends toextend again into the bellows shape. Accordingly, the fundamentaladsorbing element 1 comes into contact under pressure with interiors ofa pair of facing walls 4 a and 4 b of the case 4 and, with thecompressive force itself, is solidly supported by the case 4.Furthermore, the supporting member 3 is maintained compressed to acertain degree. Accordingly, the adsorbing sheet 2 interposed betweenthe troughs 11 thereof does not come off. Accordingly, as shown in thestep shown in FIG. 4I, the adsorbing element 1 provided with the case 4is obtained in an integrally assembled state. Here, ridge lines of therespective ridges 12 of the supporting member 3 are in a gapless mannerin proximity to internal sides of remaining two walls 4 c and 4 d thatface each other. A polyurethane sheet 5 disposed on an outer surface ofthe case 4 may be adhered with an adhesive to the outer surface of thecase 4 after the step shown in FIG. 4I, alternatively, in the step shownin FIG. 4G before the insertion of the adsorbing sheet 2, may bedisposed on the outer surface of the case 4.

In the adsorbing element 1 thus constituted, a lot of adsorbing sheets 2are stacked with a slight gap 15. In the structure, air flows along alongitudinal direction of the case 4 through the respective gaps 15 andin the meantime the adsorbing sheets 2 adjacent to the gaps 15 adsorband remove odor ingredients. Accordingly, the path can be set atsufficiently low air flow resistance. Furthermore, the entirety, beingformed of paper or non-woven fabric, including activated carbon, can beincinerated; that is, the disposal can be readily carried out. In aconfiguration provided with the case 4 like in this embodiment, sincethe adsorbing element 1 can be handled as a so-called cartridge type,the handling thereof and attaching and detaching thereof from the body51 of the deodorizing device become convenient. As materials of the case4, other than the filter paper, various kinds of papers, non-wovenfabrics and synthetic resins can be used.

In this embodiment, the plurality of adsorbing sheets 2 have the sameconfiguration; however, also by combining a plurality of kinds ofadsorbing sheets 2 of which adsorbing materials have characteristicsdifferent from each other, one adsorbing element 1 may be constituted.

Next, in steps shown respectively in FIGS. 4J and 4K, an embodimentwhere in place of the case 4 in the above embodiment, a pair ofband-shaped members 16 are used to restrain an outer periphery is shown.The band-shaped member 16 is one obtained by joining for instancetape-shaped papers (for instance, filter paper) with a predeterminedwidth into a rectangular ring. Similarly to the case where the case 4 isused, a fundamental adsorbing element 1 made of the supporting member 3and the adsorbing sheets 2 is inserted around an outer periphery thereofunder pressure. As mentioned above, the fundamental adsorbing element 1inserted in a compressed state in an inner periphery of the band-shapedmember 16, owing to the restoration force thereof, tends to extendsagain to the bellows-shape. Accordingly, the adsorbing element 1 comesinto contact under pressure with the band-shaped member 16 from theinside, and, utterly similarly to the case where the case 4 is provided,the whole of the adsorbing element 1 is integrally supported. As theband-shaped member 16, a slender string-shaped one and one made ofrubber can be used. Furthermore, the band-shaped member 16 may beinstalled permanently or temporarily to the adsorbing element 1; thatis, the adsorbing element 1 may be installed, as provided with theband-shaped member 16, in a device such as a deodorizing device,alternatively, before installing into the device, with the band-shapedmember 16 removed, only the fundamental adsorbing element 1 may beinstalled in the device.

A step shown in FIG. 4M illustrates also an embodiment in which the case4 is not provided. In this embodiment, in a compressed state as shown inthe step of FIG. 4F, on outer surfaces of the pleated paper-like sheets3A and 3B, an adhesive 18 having an appropriate viscosity is coated incontinuous band shapes and thereby after curing the supporting member 3is solidly supported in a compressed state. The adhesive 18 is coated ina plurality of parallel lines (for instance 2 lines) at an appropriateinterval.

Subsequently, an embodiment where the invention is applied to anadsorbing element 1 that is used as an adsorbing material cartridge ofan evaporative fuel treatment apparatus like JP-A-2004-100691 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In the embodiment as well,since a fundamental configuration is not different from that of theforegoing embodiment, mainly, different points thereof will bedescribed.

FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, are a front view and a side view of anadsorbing element 1 and the adsorbing element 1, similarly to theforegoing embodiment, includes a plurality of rectangular adsorbingsheets 2. A supporting member 3 is provided to support the adsorbingsheets 2 at side edges 2 a on both sides. A rectangular columnar papercase 4 restrains the adsorbing sheets 2 and the supporting member 3 onan outer periphery sides thereof. Additionally, a mesh filter 21 isprovided at each of openings on both ends of the case 4.

In this embodiment, a length of the case 4 in a longer direction is setlonger than that of the supporting member 3 and the adsorbing sheet 2.When the supporting members 3 are inserted in the case 4 together withthe adsorbing sheets 2 as shown in the steps respectively in FIGS. 4Hand 4I, excess portions 4 e are generated at both ends of the case 4.When the excess portion 4 e is folded back inside of the case 4, asshown in FIG. 6, from a position a half way of a projected length, thesupporting members 3 and the adsorbing sheets 2 in the case 4 can beassuredly restrained from moving. Furthermore, the filter 21 is disposedso that dust in air may be removed and further more activated carbonparticles collapsed from end edges (in particular, end edges facing theopening of the case 4) of the adsorbing sheets 2 left not to intrudeinto a downstream side of the evaporative fuel treatment apparatus,resultantly, in an intake system of an internal combustion engine. Forinstance, when, after a plurality of sheets of synthetic resin mesh arepiled up, a peripheral portion thereof is inserted inside of the foldedportion of the excess portion 4 e of the case 4, the filter 21 isattached to the opening at the end of the case 4.

When a strip-like adsorbing sheet 2 is formed, the end edges and theside edges toward openings at both ends of the case 4 can be sealedbag-like by adhering the end edges of for instance papers or non-wovenfabrics on both surfaces or by solidifying with an adhesive. When theend edges of the adsorbing sheets 2 are thus formed in a closedstructure, since there is no risk of the activated carbon coming off theend edges, the filter 21 at both ends of the case 4 can be omitted.

As the adsorbing element 1 for the evaporative fuel treatment apparatus,different from the adsorbing element 1 for the deodorizing device, theresistance characteristics against fuel components such as gasoline isnecessary. Accordingly, as a paper material forming the supportingmember 3 and case 4, a filter paper generally used in a fuel filter suchas a filter paper containing polyester fibers can be preferably used.When the respective parts of the case 4 are joined, without using anadhesive, for instance the ultrasonic bonding is desirably used to join.

As the filter paper that constituting the case 4, in particular, afilter paper corrugated in advance may be used. In this case, when thecase 4 is installed in a casing of the evaporative fuel treatmentapparatus, the case 4 itself has a little cushioning property.Accordingly, without utilizing the cushioning member such as thepolyurethane sheet 5 of the embodiment, the saccadic movement in theevaporative fuel treatment apparatus can be avoided.

As an adsorbing agent filled in the adsorbing sheet 2, withoutrestricting to the activated carbon, various kinds of materials can beused. Furthermore, as known so far, in order to increase the adsorbingand releasing potential of the fuel components, a heat accumulatingmaterial may be mixed.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, as a filter at both ends of the case 4,the mesh filter 21 is exemplified; however, the invention, withoutrestricting thereto, can use a filter paper, a non-woven fabric,polyurethane (sheet-like, mat-like) and so on. FIG. 7 shows anembodiment where inside of the excess portions 4 e of the both ends ofthe case 4 a filter 22 made of a non-woven fabric having a thickness isdisposed. Such filters 21 and 22 can be adopted also in the deodorantadsorbing element 1, and, without disposing the excess portion 4 e ofthe case 4 as mentioned above, can be disposed at ends of the adsorbingelement 1.

As appreciated from the above, according to the invention, an adsorbingelement having a very simple structure basically made of adsorbingsheets and paper-like sheets can be obtained. Since a gas flows throughgaps between the respective adsorbing sheets, the ventilation resistancecan be made smaller, and furthermore, since there is no need of foldingthe adsorbing sheet, inconveniences such as breaks of a surface at thefolding portions are not caused. Furthermore, the number of stackingadsorbing sheets, a pitch thereof, and an external shape thereof can bereadily altered depending on requirements.

In the above, although some embodiments are described, the invention isnot restricted to the embodiments and can be variously modified. Forinstance, in the foregoing embodiments, the whole of the adsorbingelements are formed into a simple rectangular column. However, byvarying external shapes of the individual adsorbing sheets 2 and layoutsof pleats of the supporting member 3, various kinds of different shapescan be formed. In the foregoing embodiments, many adsorbing sheets havethe same external shape. However, without restricting thereto, forinstance, also with a plurality of adsorbing sheets of which widthdimensions (a dimension between a pair of side edges) gradually vary,the adsorbing element according to the invention can be formed.Furthermore, the invention can be applied not only to the deodorizingdevices and evaporative fuel treatment apparatus but also to variousapplications. For instance, the invention can be applied to, forinstance, a humidifying agent that gradually releases water content heldin an adsorbing element.

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. P2004-251969,filed Aug. 31, 2004, are incorporated herein by reference.

1. An adsorbing element comprising: a plurality of adsorbing sheets,each adsorbing sheet including gas-permeable sheets selected from thegroup consisting of non-woven fabrics and filter papers, and anadsorbing material filled between the gas-permeable sheets, eachadsorbing sheet being formed sheet-like and having first and second sideedges which are straight and located at opposite sides of the adsorbingsheet; and first and second supporting members each of which is formedof a paper-like sheet formed with a plurality of pleats each of which isformed by folding the paper-like sheet at a flat state, the pleatshaving straight trough lines, each of the pleats of the first supportingmember being located facing and spaced from each of the pleats of thesecond supporting member to form a pair of the facing pleats, the pairof the facing pleats defining a pair of facing trough portions, whereinthe first and second side edges of each adsorbing sheet are locatedrespectively at the pair of facing trough portions so that eachadsorbing sheet is supported between the pair of the facing troughportions.
 2. The adsorbing element according to claim 1, furthercomprising a cylindrical case for restraining the first and secondsupporting members at an outer peripheral portion in a state where eachadsorbing sheet is supported between the pair of the facing troughportions.
 3. The adsorbing element according to claim 1, furthercomprising a band-like member for restraining the first and secondsupporting members at an outer peripheral portion in a state where eachadsorbing sheet is supported between the pair of the facing troughportions.
 4. The adsorbing element according to claim 1, wherein thesupporting member that forms a bellows-shape in combination with theadsorbing sheets is maintained in a compressed state in a stackingdirection of the plurality of adsorbing sheets.